TC Subaru pulled the covers off the all-new Subaru Crosstrek during a media event yesterday, ahead of an official market launch on 6 May 2026. Arriving as a fully-imported (CBU) model from Japan, the Crosstrek is expected to land with a sticker price under RM190,000.
If you are experiencing a sense of déjà vu, that is because the Subaru Crosstrek was previously known as the Subaru XV. The Japanese carmaker has since standardised the Crosstrek nameplate globally, with the name itself a portmanteau of “Crossover” and “Trekking”.
The preview unit made its debut in a rather loud shade of bright green. While the silhouette is similar to the outgoing XV, a closer look reveals subtle refinements such as redesigned lighting signatures and more aggressive cladding on the front and rear bumpers. The unit on display sat on 18-inch dual-tone alloy wheels, though official local specifications remain under wraps for now.
Underneath, the Crosstrek rides on an improved version of the Subaru Global Platform. This latest iteration features a new full-inner-frame construction and benefits from refinements, including the expanded use of structural adhesives and greater suspension connection rigidity.
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Inside, the dashboard is dominated by a new portrait-oriented 11.6-inch infotainment display. The driver is equipped with a semi-analogue metre cluster with a small 4.2-inch display in the centre. While higher variants in other markets enjoy a larger 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster, it remains to be seen if the Malaysian market will get that particular upgrade. Other amenities spotted in the preview unit include dual-zone climate control and a black and white dual-tone interior.
Under the bonnet, the preview unit houses a 2.0-litre four-cylinder boxer engine. While official powertrain specs were not provided, this appears to be a purely internal combustion affair. The ‘e-BOXER’ badge seen on hybrid variants was missing from the preview unit. Based on the equivalent setup sold in global markets, the engine likely produces 156 hp and 196 Nm. As with almost every Subaru in the line-up, this is expected to be paired with a CVT gearbox and the marque’s signature Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive system.
For safety features, the Subaru Crosstrek features the Japanese marque’s Eyesight suite of ADAS features. This now includes a new stereo camera and a wide-angle mono-camera with enhanced object recognition at wider angles and farther distances.
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